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Each inhale is like swallowing smoke. I can’t stop breathing, but I wish I could. It’s only making it worse.
Elizabeth remains silent and emotionless, leaving his question unanswered as well.
Alaric snarls, his fingers digging into my aching flesh of my arm and shoulder as he crushes me to him.
The light dims around the edges of my vision. I welcome it, willing myself to fall into the pit of darkness.
Chapter Seven
Alaric
With each passing second,Clara fades away. I hold her to my chest. Her body spasms before going limp in my arms. Her chest flutters with weak, uneven breaths, but she is still alive.
Elizabeth’s face is a stony mask, lacking any remorse for what she did.
I lay Clara gently back on the floor then rise to my feet, advancing as much as I dare. I might tower over her, but she holds more demon-sent power than anyone should ever wield.
“We had an agreement,” I say, barely restraining myself from shouting at her. “What did you do?”
Elizabeth snarls, baring both sets of razor-sharp fangs, one upper and one lower. “I remember our deal, myprince,” she spits the title like an insult. “I do not need you to remind me.”
My back straightens, and I don’t dare twitch a muscle or breathe for a long moment. Elizabeth’s anger fades, and her eyes empty again.
“What did you do to her?” I ask barely above a whisper, attempting to keep control of myself.
She shrugs one shoulder.
Looking past her, my gaze snags on two teacups. Next to one is a small green vial. Speeding to the table, I pick up the discarded cork and bring it to my nose, inhaling deeply. The dark, smoky scent is strong. My hold loosens as realization dawns. It slips from my hand, but before it hits the floor, I snarl into Elizabeth’s face.
“Demon blood? How much did you give her?” I grab her by the shoulders, barely retaining from shaking her.
I am rendered useless, my powers cannot oppose Elizabeth’s, and any attempt to heal her would be in vain. The best I can hope for is that she only gave Clara enough to make her wish for death, instead of a killing dose.
If the vial was even half full, her chances of surviving are slim at best. Humans are not built to withstand much power directly from a demon’s veins, especially not the power of a demon already bonded.
Elizabeth’s lavender eyes widen as she smiles demurely, not in the least bit cowed by my rage. “I had to know where your loyalty truly lies.”
“I am doing as you order. You have always known that I will never love you. We made a deal—I would become yourconsort.” I nearly choke on the word. “In exchange for Clara’s life.” My gaze falls on her deathly still form lying on the floor.
“Mmm,” Elizabeth hums, circling me closely. She stops to my right, a thin finger taping the sharp line of her chin. “True… However, I cannot have you going behind my back to do demons only know what with this feral creature.”
Elizabeth nudges her foot against Clara’s leg to see if she still lives. A small, pained groan issues from her lips, flooding me with relief.
“I understood when you danced with her at the masquerade. It was to be expected once you did your duty by standing at my side for the first half. I even understood every other time you flocked to her—the mark can have that effect on those of us who are…soft.” She whirls on me, her voice hardening to stone. “But to continue to do so when she has a new master is a blatant disrespect for me and our agreement.”
She snaps her fingers. Two human servants enter, awaiting her command.
“Take her to the human quarters,” she says without taking her eyes from me.
They grab her none too carefully, under her shoulders and knees, and carry Clara away. I open my mouth to object. Elizabeth’s hand shoots out and grabs my hand, wrenching it toward her face.
Before I can process her intent, Elizabeth’s mouth clamps down on my wrist. Her fangs pierce deep, the sharp points scraping against bone.
Her venom feels like acid burning through my veins. She pulls my blood in by gulps at a time. I tug on my arm, but her hold only tightens. Small beads of blood form along the tips of her fingernails. I fall to one knee before her, a cold sweat breaking out across my forehead.
Finally, she breaks away. Elizabeth grips my chin painfully, wrenching my neck back at a sharp angle until I am forced to meet her eyes. Crimson power engulfs the pale lavender irises, glowing brighter until I’m blinded to everything else.
“You will obey me, Alaric Devereaux. You will no longer betray me with your words or actions.” Her voice vibrates with the command.
